Where to stay

Question

My daughter is driving to DC for Warped tour at RFk Stadium next month. We are meeting her there and will do the typical tourist spots including Arlington, Holocaust Museum, national Mall, Smithsonian zoo. We currently have an Airbnb reserved in the Langdon area but now I’m questioning that. Any suggestions of where we should stay considering where each set will be traveling, metro stations and the fact we will have a car. TIA!

Answer

For a trip to Washington DC with the intention of attending the Warped Tour at RFK Stadium, while also visiting the main tourist attractions, location is key, especially if you have a car but also plan to use the Metro. The Langdon area is in Northeast DC, which is a bit farther from the central National Mall attractions and RFK Stadium, so you may experience more driving or longer Metro rides.

Consider the following points when choosing where to stay:

Proximity to RFK Stadium: Staying closer to the stadium, such as in the Capitol Hill or Navy Yard area, would make concert logistics easier, particularly if you plan to drive. RFK Stadium is in Northeast DC, near the Anacostia River.
Access to the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums: Central DC neighborhoods like Downtown, Penn Quarter, Foggy Bottom, or near the National Mall provide easy access to Arlington, Holocaust Museum, Smithsonian museums, and the Zoo via Metro or short drives.
Metro access: Staying near a Metro station on the Blue, Orange, or Silver lines (for RFK Stadium, the Stadium-Armory Metro on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines is ideal) will make commuting easy, especially for concert days when traffic is heavier.
Parking considerations: If you have a car, central neighborhoods may have limited street parking, so look for accommodations with dedicated parking or easy garage access.

Recommended areas for your stay:

Capitol Hill: Very convenient for both RFK Stadium and the National Mall. Plenty of historic charm, dining options, and Metro access.
Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront: Close to RFK Stadium, Nationals Park, and Metro access. A newer area with restaurants and easy walking paths.
Penn Quarter/Chinatown: Great for tourist access to the National Mall, museums, and restaurants. Metro lines make RFK Stadium accessible within 15–20 minutes.
Foggy Bottom/West End: Near the Lincoln Memorial, museums, and easy Metro access to RFK. Slightly further from the concert venue but convenient for sightseeing.

Less ideal:

Langdon or other distant Northeast neighborhoods may involve longer drives or transfers on Metro, especially with concert traffic. It’s manageable but less convenient.

Summary: If your goal is convenience for both RFK Stadium and DC sightseeing, moving closer to Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, or the central Downtown/Penn Quarter area would likely save time and stress. Since you have a car, driving from these neighborhoods to RFK Stadium is straightforward, but Metro access provides a good alternative during high-traffic event times.

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